Building Permit Requirements for Union County, Georgia

Kirby Bowron ~ Supervisor 706-439-6039

Union County Criteria for Building Permits

Purposes of Permits
Purposes for obtaining permits are: to insure fair and equal taxation, to see that any environmental laws or local ordinances are not violated by construction and to insure that state and local construction guidelines are followed.

Union County will require a building permit for all construction projects that either (1) alter the existing footprint of a structure, (2), require water/sewer or electricity connections.

Examples of projects which require a permit include but are not limited to:
a. Commercial buildings
b. Residential buildings
c. Location of a mobile home
d. Location of a travel trailer used as a full time, seasonal or part time residence
e. Garage
f. Carport
g. Completion of any unfinished areas within a residence or building
h. Boat docks
Examples of projects which do NOT require a permit include but are not limited to:
a. Roofing material change
b. Exterior siding change
c. Replacement of floor covering
d. Painting
e. Wallpapering
f. Sidewalks or driveways

Mobile Homes
Union County requires anyone who is moving a mobile home within or into the County, for any reason, to obtain a Building Permit. Mobile homes over seven years old will not be allowed into the County.

Electrical hookups to structures
When applying for new power service, Union County requires Blue Ridge Mountain EMC insure that the building owner has both a building permit and septic permit.

Septic Permit requirement
Union County requires that all Building Permit applicants, who have sanitary facilities in their building, to obtain a septic permit from the Union County Health Department.

Culvert inspection
Union County requires property owners, who are constructing a road or driveway, to obtain a Culvert Permit from the Union County Road Department if the road or driveway in question connects directly with a county maintained road. A 911 address will not be issued until the driveway is established.

Permit duration
Building Permits are only valid for the period of one year, after which a new permit is required.

Penalties for violating the Union County Building Permit Ordinance #0-98-002
Any person violating any provisions of this Ordinance shall be guilty of violating a duly adopted ordinance of Union County and upon conviction such a violation shall be punishable as a misdemeanor, pursuant to O.C.G.A.s 15-10-60, subject to a fine not to exceed $1,000 and subject to imprisonment for no more than 60 days or both, except as otherwise provided by general law, or by subsequent amendment of O.C.G.A.s 15-10-60. O.C.G.A.s 15-10-60, et seq, shall govern the trial of any violation of this ordinance and any violation of this ordinance may be tried upon citation as contemplated by O.C.G.A.s 15-10-63. Each day during which the violation or failure or refusal to comply continues shall constitute a separate violation.